Ruben Amorim is set for a swift return to elite management after agreeing to become AC Milan’s next head coach, just months after his turbulent spell at Manchester United came to an end.
The Portuguese coach is expected to travel to Italy later this week to finalise a two-year contract with the Serie A giants, who are rebuilding after a disappointing campaign that saw Massimiliano Allegri dismissed following a collapse in form and failure to qualify for the Champions League.
Reports in Italy suggest Amorim has agreed to waive the final year of salary he was still owed by Manchester United after his departure in January, a move that could save the Premier League club millions of pounds.
United previously disclosed that Amorim’s exit, together with his coaching staff, could cost the club up to £15.9 million. Any financial benefit from his appointment in Milan could feature in the club’s next set of accounts.
The move marks a remarkable opportunity for a manager whose reputation suffered a dramatic blow during his 14-month reign at Old Trafford.
Amorim arrived at Manchester United in November 2024 after replacing Erik ten Hag, having built a reputation as one of Europe’s brightest coaching talents during a hugely successful spell at Sporting CP. He guided Sporting to their first Portuguese league title in 19 years during the 2020-21 season before winning another championship in 2023-24.
However, his time in England quickly unravelled.
United endured one of the worst periods in the club’s modern history under Amorim, recording a league win percentage of just 31.9 per cent. Only Wilf McGuinness, who managed United in the late 1960s, posted a worse league record among the club’s permanent managers since the Second World War.
While some supporters argued that the dysfunction behind the scenes at Old Trafford made success almost impossible, critics pointed to Amorim’s tactical inflexibility and refusal to abandon his preferred three-at-the-back system despite a series of damaging results.
The Portuguese coach often struggled against teams United were expected to beat, even though his side occasionally produced encouraging performances against elite opponents such as Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City.
Now he faces a fresh challenge at one of European football’s most iconic clubs.
For Milan, Amorim represents an attempt to modernise after a disappointing season. Although the Rossoneri remain one of football’s most decorated institutions, they have fallen behind domestic rivals and missed out on Champions League qualification after finishing fifth in Serie A.
The move may also suit Amorim’s tactical philosophy.
Unlike the Premier League, Serie A has seen several recent title-winning teams utilise three-man defences. Managers such as Simone Inzaghi, Antonio Conte and Cristian Chivu have all enjoyed success using systems similar to Amorim’s preferred setup.
Milan’s own tactical structure under Allegri was also closer to Amorim’s philosophy than the squad he inherited at Manchester United, potentially making the transition smoother.
Nevertheless, questions remain.
Amorim’s reputation was built in Portugal, where Sporting possessed significantly greater resources than most domestic rivals. His struggles in England raised doubts about whether he could consistently succeed in a league where numerous clubs possess comparable quality and tactical sophistication.
Serie A will provide another stern examination of those credentials.
Milan’s decision also comes after two recent Portuguese appointments failed to deliver the desired results. Both Paulo Fonseca and Sergio Conceicao departed the club after disappointing spells, adding further pressure on Amorim to succeed.
If the contracts are signed as expected, Amorim will begin his Milan tenure with a pre-season match against Celtic on July 25. In a twist of fate, the Rossoneri’s final warm-up fixture will come against Manchester United in Wroclaw on August 15.
That encounter could provide an early indication of whether Milan have rescued one of Europe’s most highly-rated young coaches or whether United were right to move on.
Either way, Amorim’s next chapter promises to be one of the most closely watched stories in European football.
